Deschutes National Forest: Firewood Permits (2026)
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How to get a personal-use firewood permit on the Deschutes National Forest in Oregon: what it costs, how much you can cut, when, and the key rules.
Quick facts
- Price: Free for personal use.
- How much: Up to 8 cords per household per year.
- Season: Firewood cutting season is May 1 through November 30.
How much does it cost?
- Free for personal use.
How much wood can I cut?
- Up to 8 cords per household per year.
When can I cut?
- Firewood cutting season is May 1 through November 30.
How do I get a permit?
- Get a free personal-use permit from the Forest Service (see the official page for offices and options).
Rules to know
- Cut dead trees only, or as shown on woodcutting maps.
- Some areas do not allow cutting standing dead trees.
- Where standing trees may be cut, stumps may be no taller than 12 inches.
- The longest piece you may haul is 6 feet.
- Do not cut live trees or plants to reach firewood.
- One validated load tag is required for every 1/2 cord.
- Haul in vehicles under 26,000 lbs GVW.
- Personal-use wood cannot be sold, transferred or bartered.
- Open dates and allowed species vary by cutting-area map.
Before you go
- Check fire restrictions the day you cut. Chainsaw use is often limited or banned in hot, dry weather.
- Cut only on National Forest land in open areas, never on private, state, tribal or BLM land.
- Stay on open roads. Use the forest's Motor Vehicle Use Map.
- Keep firewood local. Moving it can spread insects and diseases that kill trees.
What to bring:
- Your permit and load tickets or tags (printed, if bought online)
- A chainsaw with a working spark arrester, or a hand saw or ax
- A shovel and a fire extinguisher (many forests require them)
- Gloves, eye and ear protection, and sturdy boots
- A truck or trailer that can carry the weight (a full cord can weigh thousands of pounds)
Cutting a Christmas tree? See the Deschutes Christmas tree permit page.
Sources
More firewood in Oregon: Fremont-Winema · Malheur · Mt. Hood · Siuslaw · Umpqua · Willamette · Ochoco · Rogue River-Siskiyou · Wallowa-Whitman · Umatilla · All forests · Oregon state page
Independent site. Forest Permit Finder is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the USDA Forest Service or Recreation.gov. Permit rules change; always check the official page before you go. Information last verified Oct 2026.